LENZworks Productions

Attorney At Law

In his article for The Business of Film, Special Cannes Edition, Greg Bernstein discusses how producers have come to him having raised equity, subsidies, grants or other forms of cash infusions, for a third to half of the budget, but cannot figure out how to raise the remaining necessary capital.
The key to this quandary is "gap financing.
So what is this mysterious pot of gold?
The article explains this, plus a prelude to insurance backed financing.

Greg S. Bernstein is an entertainment lawyer specializing in the area of the finance and distribution of indie films.
Each year Mr. Bernstein provides legal or producer representative services on dozens of indie films.
Through his many years of experience in the industry he has developed particular insights into the nature of the indie film business.
For over15 years, Mr. Bernstein made this insights available to students thru a UCLA Extension course he taught called "From Packaging to Delivery.
His entertainment industry clients include major motion picture producers, distributors and sales agents, independent film producers and production companies, banks and financiers.
Mr. Bernstein is a frequent lecturer (UCLA, various film commissions and others), panel moderator (Hollywood Film Festival, Century City Chamber of Commerce Entertainment Industry Symposium, IFP, and others) and author (Variety, Business of Film and other publications), all dealing with the finance and distribution of indie films

A Frequently Asked Questions, such as finder fees, residuals, life rights, clearances and typical fees for writers, directors, options, etc, is provided upon accepting the terms of the foruem, below.
You can then proceed to the Q&A Forum if the FAQ did not help.

Questions posted on this Forum should be limited to questions related to the development, production, distribution or financing of motion pictures.
DO NOT post advertisements, solicitations, rambling political tirades, investment inquires or solicitations, script summaries or synopsis, or anything other than a question to Mr. Bernstein related to motion pictures.
Postings not meeting these limitations will be deleted.

Try to keep your questions short and to the point.
Keep the questions general and not personal.
If you have something very specific, you may be best emailing Mr. Bernstein directly at greg@thefilmlaw.com.